Pictured: WOU’s Men’s and Women+’s Rugby teams
Written by Maureen Brakke
MONMOUTH, Ore. Western Oregon University Campus Recreation has launched a new WOU Club Sport membership option called the Club Sport Player Pass. The pass is available to local community college students, allowing them to participate in WOU’s vibrant club sports program. Previously, WOU Club Sport participation was limited to WOU students.
This initiative aims to foster engagement and community connection by allowing community college students to join WOU Club Sport teams such as rugby, lacrosse, club volleyball, club soccer, and many more. The Club Sport Player Pass provides an opportunity for students who do not have similar athletic programs at their institutions. It also allows students to establish impactful connections at WOU, through which they can receive hands-on support in identifying a clear pathway to WOU after completing their associate degree.
Additionally, with the support and guidance of National Collegiate Rugby, WOU has established a formal partnership with Chemeketa Community College for full collegiate rugby eligibility. This partnership ensures that Chemeketa students who obtain a Club Sport Player Pass and join the WOU Rugby Club are fully eligible to participate in all team activities, including conference matches and playoff competitions. Rugby eligibility would have been restricted to practices and non-conference matches without this formal partnership.
“We are excited that community college students can now experience the camaraderie and competition of WOU Club Sports,” said Andy Main, associate director of Campus Recreation. “In collaboration with the WOU Admission team, we are also eager to make impactful connections with those individuals to lay out a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree at WOU.”
Main also shares that the pass will strengthen ties with local community colleges, as seen with Chemeketa Community College, particularly for rugby. He adds that this is a testament to WOU’s dedication to providing a full and enriching Club Sport experience.
Community college students interested in obtaining a WOU Club Sports Player pass must meet the following criteria:
- Complete an online Club Sport Player Pass Application form.
Once an application is submitted and reviewed, Campus Recreation will contact applicants and guide them through the remaining steps, which in most cases will include all of the following:
- Provide WOU Campus Recreation with transcripts verifying current enrollment at a community college.
- Complete all registration processes, forms, and waivers required of any WOU Club Sport participant before participation, which may include registration with a specific Club Sport’s national governing body.
- Purchase a Club Sports Player Pass from Campus Recreation
- Pay any Club Sports team dues.
- Community College students are limited to seven terms of WOU Club Sport eligibility.
Interested community college students are encouraged to visit the WOU Campus Recreation website or contact the WOU Campus Recreation office at 503-838-8513 / maina@wou.edu for more information and assistance with the Club Sport Player pass application.
###
About Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College serves the mid-Willamette Valley with campuses in Salem, Dallas, and Woodburn, as well as online options. Chemeketa is committed to providing accessible, quality education and workforce development opportunities.
About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
